Statistical optimization of a podoviral anti-MRSA phage CCASU-L10 generated from an under sampled repository: Chicken

Israa M Abd-Allah1, Ghadir S El-Housseiny1, Mohamed H Al-Agamy2,3

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Organization of African Unity Street, Abbassia, Cairo, Egypt.

Abstract

Insights

This study optimized bacteriophage production against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), achieving a two-log fold increase in titer. The enhanced phage is stable in extreme conditions, showing potential for topical pharmaceutical use.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Antimicrobial resistance, particularly from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), poses a significant global health threat.
  • MRSA infections are challenging due to virulence factors and antibiotic resistance.
  • Bacteriophages offer a potential alternative to antibiotics for combating resistant bacteria.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To optimize the production of a bacteriophage effective against MRSA.
  • To evaluate the characteristics of the produced bacteriophage.
  • To explore bacteriophage therapy as a strategy against MRSA.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation of a bacteriophage from raw chicken rinse, tentatively identified as Podoviridae, order Caudovirales.
  • Optimization of bacteriophage production using response surface methodology (RSM) with a D-optimal design.
  • Determination of optimal production conditions: pH 8, 0.9% glycerol, 0.08% peptone, and 10^7 CFU/ml host inoculum.

Main Results:

  • The optimized conditions resulted in a two-log fold increase in bacteriophage titer, reaching 1.17x10^12 PFU/ml.
  • The bacteriophage demonstrated stability under various extreme environmental conditions.
  • The phage production was successfully scaled up using statistical optimization.

Conclusions:

  • Statistical optimization significantly enhanced bacteriophage yield, presenting a viable scale-up strategy.
  • The phage's tolerance to extreme conditions suggests suitability for topical pharmaceutical applications.
  • Further preclinical and clinical studies are necessary to validate its therapeutic potential in humans.

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